Christmas Greetings

As Melbourne goes nuts in the lead up to a forecast hot and humid festive day, I will wish you all a very Merry Christmas and and prosperous New Year. 2012, in the Mayan Calendars is purported to be a year of disasters, but according to Wikipedia : The "Misinterpretation of the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar is the basis for a New Age belief that a cataclysm will take place on December 21, 2012. December 21, 2012 is simply the day that the calendar will go to the next b'ak'tun."


To the poor, terrified people of Christchurch, Christmas 2011 is starting to seem almost as disastrous as February 22 with several very strong and sharp aftershocks happening today. My family are okay but the psychological effect of these shocks is becoming ingrained. One of the latest quakes is only a few km from their house in North New Brighton and threw them to the ground while out walking the dog.


Check out the Christchurch Earthquake Map website to get a good idea of the > 18 shakes today and the thousands they have had to endure since last year.


Whilst Gerry Harvey has forecast a disastrous retail environment, the experience of Christchurch shows how lucky we really are. He has now "seen the light" and opened up his site to purchases from his Irish stores.


As a librarian, my job has undergone a number of transformations since I started. We originally provided books  and reference services to people. I now provide training in Internet technologies, help with computer use, reference information using online databases and Google searches as well as information about eBook technology etc. As well as helping people to borrow DVD's, CD's, Talking Books, Daisy Players. RFID tagging will eventually bring about massive changes in employment for the library staff. We too need to change to survive and provide employment,


Sounds a bit like the challenges facing the retail industry. But fortunately, less confronting than the earthquakes and their consequences on Christchurch citizens and indeed the whole of New Zealand.


We have much to be thankful - so raise a glass or two and donate generously to those in need.